Associate Engineer (Operations)

Description

**This recruitment is being conducted to establish an eligibility list for future vacancies.**

What do you value in your next job?

At the Orange County Sanitation District our Core Values form the framework of our organization and reinforce our professional work ethic. If the following values ring true with you, we’d love to invite you to explore our career opportunities further.

Integrity, Inclusion, Honesty, and Respect
We aspire to the highest degree of integrity, inclusion, honesty, and respect in our interaction with each other, our suppliers, our customers, and our community. We strive to demonstrate these values in our actions, commitments, and service.

Leadership, Teamwork, and Problem Solving
We lead by example, acknowledging the value of our resources and using them wisely to achieve our mission. We strive to reach OC San goals through cooperative efforts and collaboration with each other and our constituencies. We work to solve problems in a creative, cost-effective, and safe manner, and we acknowledge team and individual efforts.

Customer Service, Transparency, and Accountability
We are committed to acting in a timely, accurate, accessible, and transparent manner through excellent customer service. We are committed to act in the best interest of our internal and external stakeholders.

Resiliency, Innovation, and Learning
We continuously develop ourselves, enhancing our talents, skills, and abilities. We recognize that only through personal growth and development will we progress as an agency and as individuals.

Safety
We are committed to providing a safe work environment. We will demonstrate leadership, promote individual accountability, and participate actively in the advancement of our health and safety practices.

OC San is currently looking to establish an eligibility list for a n Associate Engineer (Operations).

Under general supervision, the Associate Engineer will perform a variety of engineering duties with functional competence in the field of wastewater operations to include the following:

Field Operations:
Process monitoring to meet permit requirements, data analysis and entry, contingency planning, standard operation procedure and Operations & Maintenance manual updates. Assist with process upsets, spills, Capital Improvement Program planned shutdowns, and troubleshooting; technical help and advice to operations and procurement - chemicals and plant needs.

Process Optimization Program - Continuous Improvement:
Develop plan and rationale for improved plant performance and efficiency; reduced capital costs of expansion and upgrading; and reduced operating costs and improving operational practices.

Odor Control Master Plan - Past and Future:
Address issues at Plant 1, Plant 2, pump stations, and collection systems; resolve complaints from our neighbors / customers; and Capital Improvement Program - decisions on future odor control projects.

Coordination and Outreach:
Coordination with other departments within OC San and other agencies (Orange County Water District, Irvine Ranch Water District, Santa Ana Watershed Project Authority, and member agencies) regarding collections systems, compliance documents, permits, planning, projects plans and specifications review, project management, project design, construction, commissioning and closeout. Deliver presentations associated with areas such as project updates and public outreach.

Research and future technologies:
Recommend opportunities to initiate research and prepare decision packages for research projects. Review research data and recommend applications of research to process.
Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications & Requirements

Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree from a college or university accredited by the U.S. Department of Education, with major coursework in civil, mechanical, chemical, electrical, or environmental engineering, or a related field.
• Two (2) years of increasingly responsible engineering experience.
• Valid California Class C Driver's License.

Desirables :

• Knowledge of operations of wastewater management systems and flow regimes.
• An understanding of the principles of air dispersion, wastewater characteristics, water chemistry, wastewater processes (including solids, liquids, and air separation), wastewater process modeling, wastewater flow modeling, interceptor odor, and health risk analysis modeling.
• The ability to demonstrate the principles and applications of critical thinking and analysis.

Recruitment & Selection Process

Vacancies: 0
(an eligible list will be established for future vacancies)

Apply online at: www.ocsan.gov/careers/

APPLICATION FILING DEADLINE: Thursday, July 17, 2025; 5:00 P.M.
(or until a sufficient number of qualified applications have been received)

Hiring Salary Range: $123,593.60 - $136,260.80 /Year
(starting salary will be within this range based upon qualifications)

Supplemental Information

Physical Demands

• Mobility to work in a standard office setting and use standard office equipment, including a computer; to operate a motor vehicle and visit various OC San sites, projects, and/or meetings; primarily a sedentary office classification although standing in work areas and walking between work areas may be required; occasionally bend, stoop, kneel, reach, push, and pull drawers open and closed to retrieve and file information; ability to lift, carry, push, and pull materials and objects up to 35 pounds.
• Mobility to work in changing site conditions; to sit, stand, and walk on level, uneven, or slippery surfaces; to reach, twist, turn, kneel, and bend, to climb and descend ladders.
• May be required to perform some light physical work; lift, carry, push, and pull materials and objects averaging a weight of 51 pounds, or heavier weights, in all cases with the use of proper equipment and/or assistance from other staff.
• Vision to read printed materials and a computer screen.
• Vision to inspect site conditions and work in progress.
• Hearing and speech to communicate in person and over the telephone.
• Finger dexterity to access, enter, and retrieve data using a computer keyboard or calculator and to operate standard office equipment.
• Frequent walking in operational areas to identify problems or hazards.

Environmental Elements

• Office environment with moderate noise levels, controlled temperature conditions, and no direct exposure to hazardous physical substances.
• Field work with exposure to loud noise levels, cold and hot temperatures, inclement weather conditions, road hazards, vibration, chemicals, mechanical and/or electrical hazards, hazardous physical substances and fumes, dust, and air contaminants.
• Employees may interact with upset staff and/or public and private representatives in interpreting and enforcing departmental policies and procedures.

Other Requirements

• Probationary Period: All OC San employees, except classifications considered “at-will”, are subject to the probationary period provisions as specified in the applicable Memorandum of Understanding, policies, and/or resolutions. Employees who have not yet successfully completed their initial probationary period serve “at-will” and may be released from employment without cause or recourse to any appeal or grievance procedures.
• Pre-Employment: All employment offers are contingent upon successful completion of OC San’s pre-employment process, which includes a background investigation, a physical examination, and a drug screen.
• Work Location Assignment: Employees will be assigned to a work location based on business needs which may be located at any/all of OC San locations; this work location may be changed at any time.

Disaster Service Workers
All OC San employees are designated Disaster Service Workers through state law (California Government Code Section 3100-3109). Employment with the OC San requires the affirmation of a loyalty oath to this effect. Employees are required to complete all related training as assigned, and to return to work as ordered in the event of an emergency.

Other information
For the full range of duties, responsibilities, and essential job functions please review the Classification Specification for this position found on our website .

Applicants must clearly demonstrate, through their application materials, that they meet
the minimum requirements as outlined in the job announcement and class specification to receive further consideration. However, meeting the minimum requirements does not guarantee an interview. All properly completed applications will be reviewed, and the most appropriately qualified individuals will be invited to continue in the selection process.
False statements may be cause for disqualification, removal from the eligible list, or discharge from employment. All statements made on applications are subject to investigation and verification.

To ensure your application is accurate and complete, please review the Job Application Guide .

Employment is contingent upon successful completion of OC San’s pre-employment process, which includes a background investigation and a physical examination. For some positions, this may include a drug screen. False statements may be cause for disqualification, removal from the eligible list, or discharge from employment. All statements made on applications are subject to investigation and verification.

Reference Checks will be conducted by OC San to verify employment related information for all potential employees once a contingent job offer is made during the background investigation process. This is done to ensure that individuals who join OC San are well qualified and have a strong potential to be successful in their employment. The extent of the inquiry will depend on the position being applied for, but will at least include:

• Verification/Reference from current and past employers
• Confirmation of necessary licenses, certificates, and degrees.

Please have all necessary documentation ready. Additional inquiries may be necessary depending on the position for which you are applying. Human Resources will also schedule a post-offer physical examination once a job offer has been made.

OC San only accepts applications submitted via our online application system. Applications submitted via mail, fax or email will not be accepted.

The provisions of this announcement do not constitute an expressed or implied contract. Any provision contained in this announcement may be modified or revoked without notice.

Vacation leave; eleven paid holidays and one floating holiday; sick leave; administrative leave; group life insurance; group disability insurance; group health insurance (employee contribution required), dependent coverage available, including medical, dental, and vision; a retirement* plan (Orange County Employees Retirement System) and the option of participating in a deferred compensation plan as well as other optional benefits. A credit union is available. Telecommuting (up to two days) depending on nature of the work, business need, and management approval. Benefits are subject to the Board of Directors' periodic determination (usually annually) and the meet and confer process, and are therefore subject to change. OC San makes a generous contribution toward the cost of these benefits.

* New employees hired on or after January 1, 2013 will be subject to the retirement benefit formula and provisions set forth by the California Public Employees' Pension Reform Act of 2013 (PEPRA).

For more information on benefits, visit our website at https://www.ocsan.gov/about-us/jobs/employee-benefits

Closing Date/Time: 7/17/2025 5:00 PM Pacific

• 

• Orange County Sanitation District

Show more